Susan Lee (Cox) Ruohomaki

Susan was born on April 26, 1948, to parents Lloyd and Helen Cox. She was the eldest of 4 children and grew up in National Mine, MI, where she graduated as the salutatorian of her class. She married Roy Ruohomaki on June 3, 1967, and they enjoyed 58 years together. Susan was the mother of two children.

Susan graduated from Northern Michigan University summa cum laude with a degree in teaching with majors in math and science. She worked for many years as a substitute teacher in the local schools before getting a permanent job as a 6th grade teacher at Kingsford Middle School where she taught for 28 years until her retirement. She enjoyed working with the gifted and talented cluster and was the coach for Odyssey of the Mind competitions. She received a Golden Apple teaching award for excellence in teaching and was a member of the Michigan math standards board.

Susan was a member of the Maranatha Assembly of God Church in Kingsford and volunteered at Maranatha Messengers, which distributes food and clothing to those in need. She was a member of the foreign missions board, and she and Roy traveled to Paraguay on a missions trip. They also enjoyed riding motorcycles and visited most of the states and some of Canada on bike trips.

After retirement, they divided their time between Iron Mountain and Arizona. In Arizona she attended Ascend Church Queen Creek, and she and Roy became volunteers for the CASA program, which provides court advocates for foster children. So much for a quiet retirement.

Susan is survived by her husband of 58 years, Roy; siblings Victor (Carol), Sharon (Jon), and Fred (Lynn); a sister-in-law, Louise (Chuck); her two children, Todd (Kerri) and Lisa; four grandchildren, Brittany (Steven), Jamin, Janelle (Grant), Jakob (Taylor); and four great-grandchildren, Nikko and Xander, Ava and Alaina. She will also be missed by her two rescue dogs Buddy and Maggie.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Helen Cox, and her parents-in-law, Waino and Helen Ruohomaki.

A celebration of Susan’s life will be held later when the grass is green, the flowers are in bloom, and the sun is warm upon your face.

Jeremiah 29:11

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Susan Lee (Cox) Ruohomaki online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.